tb shot during pregnancy

Nurse2bSandy · Oct 23, 2003

I don't know really... but just a thought... the TB ppd is a not really a 'shot' as in immunization. Does anyone know whether it actually circulates through the system or just causes a localized reaction? Here in HI TB ppd is req for any/everything. Haven't heard of any contraindications. Someone else probably knows more and this will bump this up!

pittsburghRN · Oct 23, 2003

thanks for your reply as far as i know it is safe but just wanted to see if anyone heard otherwise . and if its safe in first trimester. tHANKS

Brownms46 · Oct 23, 2003

Yes it is safe to have it done while pregnant. Especially since TB infection could cause harm to the fetus. Some areas do the testing as part of the prenatal work up.

But it is always best to check with your PP with any questions about what you should and shouldn't have done while pregnant.

Congrats and good luck on your new job:).

prmenrs, RN · Oct 23, 2003

PPD [Purified Protein Derivative] is stuff from the SURFACE of the TB bacterium--it is an antigen. If you have been exposed to TB sufficiently to develop antibodies, placing a small measured amount of PPD between the skin layers will cause your immune system to 'react', evidenced by a small, inflamed area @ the site of the injection. This can be measured in millimeters by a ruler.

You are not receiving actual TB organism, just the surface matter. I think it is sort of scraped off in some way, not sure.

There is no risk to the mother or the baby, it is often given as part of the prenatal evaluation @ the first visit to the MD.

The CDC site might have more info. Your local American Lung Association can probably mail you a brochure as well--give them a call.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Oct 24, 2003

There is a TB immunization if I am thinking right. The PPD just shows if you were ever exposed. If it is the immunization, I would as my doc and if need be defer until after delivery. If it is the PPD premnrs is right, many moms get them as part of their OB workup :)

nurseygrrl, LPN · Oct 24, 2003

There is no immunization for TB. There is one that they give out to people in 3rd world countries, which makes them + for TB, but we don't use that here in America.

Azdream'nRN · Oct 24, 2003

Hi! I went through this in 2001 as I was expecting my son. He was born on May 31, 2002 and I had the ppd for TB in early November, so it was in the first trimester. I looked into this seriously before having it done, asked my gynecologist and so on down the line, and found out that it shows no harm to the fetus. I spoke to a nurse midwife who works in high risk as well and asked my perintologist FIRST before having it done. I had a perinatologist because I was exposed to moth ball poisoning around the time I got pregnant. I was also 41 years old at the time and my husband is a triplet.

My child is a normal kid and it caused no problems. It is well documented in the books that it poses no injury to the fetus, although in the beginning, I didn't believe it myself.

Brownms46 · Oct 24, 2003

Originally posted by NicuGal
There is a TB immunization if I am thinking right. The PPD just shows if you were ever exposed. If it is the immunization, I would as my doc and if need be defer until after delivery. If it is the PPD premnrs is right, many moms get them as part of their OB workup :)

You're talking about BCG, with is a live vaccine, and the CDC has looked at this vaccine, and gave reccomendations for when it should be used in the US. Allow the CDC reccomended that it not be used as a primary prevention program, they did give reccomendation for it's use in high TB pop area, for children, and healthcare workers. I did a contract at a TB treatment hospital, that treated a lof of MDR TB, and was in a area where a lot of illegal aliens. It can be given on a case by case basis, with couseling to the person it's given to.

pittsburghRN · Oct 27, 2003

:kiss THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REPLIES. I FEEL A LOT SAFER HAVING IT DONE NOW.

:)